Canada’s Best New Attractions for Summer 2011

Canada's Sports Hall of Fame, Calgary, Alberta

Canada’s Sports Hall of FameCalgary, Alberta

The new Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame is a place where sports fans, families and patriots can celebrate 520 of the best athletes and sports heroes in Canadian history. With 11 galleries spread over 44,000 square feet, visitors can take in artifacts like authentic Olympic medals, hockey outfits from the greats, the whistle from the inventor of basketball, and the Adidas sneaker Terry Fox dipped in the Atlantic Ocean during the Marathon of Hope tour. Kids and the young-at-heart can also try out the museum’s 50 interactive experiences that include boxing with Lennox Lewis and attempting to beat Paralympic star Chantal Petitclerc’s world record in wheelchair racing.

Officially opened in July 2010, the Banff Legacy Trail was built to honour the 125th Anniversary of Banff National Park. Over 3-metres wide and 26 kilometres long, the paved trails are a haven for runners, cyclists, and roller skiers alike. Nestled between Banff Park East Gate and Bow Valley Parkway, the trails offer stunning views, covered picnic sites, as well as the Banff townsite. Pedestrian gates and solar-powered electric mats deter Banff’s abundant wildlife from accessing Legacy Trail, and interpretive signs educate users on the Banff National Park experience.

Banff Legacy Trail is open during all seasons but winter. For more information, call 403-760-1305. Banff Legacy Trail, Between Bow Valley Parkway and Banff Park Gate East of Canmore.

Beaty Biodiversity Museum, Vancouver, British Columbia

Beaty Biodiversity MuseumVancouver, British Columbia

With over 20,000 square feet of exhibits, the Beaty Biodiversity Museum is Vancouver’s only natural history museum. With a multitude of collections that host over two million specimens, the museum showcases must-see natural wonders including mammals, birds, reptiles, fossils and shells, insect and aquatic items, and plants from around the world. Plus, the museum is host to the third-largest fish collection in the country including a 26-metre long skeleton of a blue whale – earth’s largest living animal.

Beaty Biodiversity Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. For more information, visit beatymuseum.ubc.ca or call 604-827-4955. Beaty Biodiversity Museum, 2212 Main Hall at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4

Britannia Mine Museum, Whistler, British Columbia

Britannia Mine MuseumWhistler, British Columbia

The Britannia Mine Museum recently underwent a $14.7-million redevelopment project to preserve its heritage buildings and mining collections. The museum offers an interesting look at the history of mining in B.C. with interactive activities including riding an underground train, panning for real gold, viewing rare gems up close, experiencing the sights and sounds of a real mine, and igniting your own dynamite “explosion”. The museum recently won the 2011 Canadian Museum Association (CMA) Award for Outstanding Achievement in Facility Development and Design; the award recognizes excellence in function, vision, innovation, and architecture.

Britannia Mine Museum is open daily from 9 a.m. For more information, visit bcmm.ca or call 604-896-2233 or toll-free at 1-800-896-4044. Britannia Mine Museum, On the Sea to Sky Highway (Highway 99) north of Vancouver, Britannia Beach, BC